Presenting the Colors question

[SSScout]

Doesn't hurt to practice and remind folks about "the SSign".

 

CM or SM stands in the front of the room, raises right hand in the SSign, looks at left wrist (watch). When room is sufficiently quiet he/she says (as appropriate) "2 minutes 17 seconds. We can do better than that. ALL RIGHT! LET'S MAKE SOME NOISE!!" ( noise is made)

SM/CM puts up SSign. Looks at watch. "OK! 12 seconds. Much better."

Meeting continues....

[Scoutfish]

Okay, it's a minor detail, but there is a BIG difference - so I want to point out and STRESS that On the occasion that I or the ACM say Signs Up.....

 

We DO NOT shout or yell it. We just say it in a louder than normal voice. Luckily for me( depending how you see it) my waife says I have a loud voice anyways.

 

Again, minor detail, but it does make a difference.

 

Now, on another note, I tghink SSS gets the bigger picture:

We can argue minor details or proper ettiquett down to how many steps it takes to exicute a left turn for the bearer of the American Flag. But trhen we are just being way too trivial and missing a bigger picture:

 

As long as the kids learn and show respect to the Colors, then that's all that maters.

 

Kinda like debating wether a person should bow or not during prayer. It really doesn't matter as long as the person is thinking and believing what they are praying to/for/about.

 

Yeah, I do want the boys to show respect during a flag ceremony, but if it's just going through meaningless ( as they percieve it) motions..then who says what, who does what and what the 4th guy in line's title is mean jack crap.

 

But if they truely feel respect and understand what the importance and honor of carrying that flag means, then I'll not get my undies in a bunch if the put the flag on the wrong side.

 

I'll just gently and in a very freindly way, tell him to go to the other side, but meanwhile, he did a GREAT job in trying!

[acco40]

The Boy Scouts used to teach a whole slew of "hand signals" that can be much more effective than verbal communication. It trains the boys to be more visually attentive too.

[Woapalanne]

BDPT00 is correct: " I don't consider it to be a "color guard." It's a "flag detail.""

 

Scouts cannot, under BSA rules, be a Color GUARD, because, to guard, the unit must be armed. (In another life, I am Captain of a real Color Guard unit. An armed unit.)

 

However, that is a minor point, lost on most civilians. (As is the fact that a Color Guard never bows and closes eyes during prayers.)

 

I do prefer the term "Flag Detail" as well, since it is more accurate and emphasises the fact that we are not a military organization.